Green Teas from China

China, the birthplace of tea, has had tea bushes in cultivation for over 5000 years. Most of the tea produced and consumed in China is green tea and comes mainly from the provinces of Zhejiang, Anhui, Jaingsu and Jiangxi. Unlike other tea producing countries, Chinese tea production is not done on large tea estates but the majority is done in villages scattered throughout the mountainous regions of the country. The various locations, climate, soil, altitude, water, tea bushes and manufacturing processes of each village, and their adherence to age old manufacturing techniques, is what makes China's green teas unique.

China's most famous tea! Dragon Well, (Longjing), is grown in the fertile Longjing mountain area of Hangzhou, southwest of the West Lake. This mountainous region holds the cold currents from the north and the warm currents from the south, resulting in long periods of cloud cover. These ideal growing conditions produce what may be considered the best tea in China. Their flat, smooth leaves steep to an emerald green liquor, with a distinctive sweetness. Brew tea at 180º - steep for 2 minutes.

One of China’s best-known teas!! The silver green, tender buds and tips are rolled into loosely balled pellets that brew to a light amber cup, with a good body and a light lemon after-taste. Brew tea at 180º - steep for 2 minutes.

The olive-green pellets, when brewed, unfurl into a long green leaf, with a pale green cup and a distinctive vegetal aroma. The cup of Organic Gunpowder is light, smooth and non-astringent, with a touch of earthiness. Brew tea at 180º - steep for 2 minutes.

The brewed tea is delicious with a bright cup and a light, fresh, green tea taste. You'll see the long, twisted, tippy, gray-green leaves open into very long olive-green leaves that lend themselves to more than one steeping.

Transport yourself to a land of desert sands, caravans and palm tree filled oasis, with Moroccan Mint a delicious blend of spearmint and green tea. The green tea unfurls into large leaves, with a pale ecru cup and a strong minty flavor. Brew tea at 180º - steep for 2-3 minutes.

When brewed, the small, tightly balled, silvery-green leaves open into large olive green leaves. Pinhead Gunpowder Green tea has a medium body, with a very delicate hint of smokiness in the light amber cup. Brew tea at 180º - steep for 2 minutes.

Pu-erh is China’s great mystery tea and is famous for its health benefits and low caffeine levels. It’s said to be a general tonic for the digestion of fatty foods, relieves indigestion and lowers cholesterol and hypertension levels. Considered a very rare tea in the market, this tea from Yunnan is composed of two leaves and a bud. The silvery green, twisted leaves open into a yellow-green leaf and produce a delicate, light green cup. The tea has a rich, refreshing, earthy flavor. Brew tea at 195º - steep for 2-3 minutes for the 1st infusion. Steep for 4-6 minutes for 2nd infusion.

This green tea from the Jiangsu province of China is spectacular! The dark green, twisted, tippy leaves brew to a delicate, pale green cup with a fresh spinach, vegetal aroma and taste and a slight aftertaste of apple. Brew tea at 180º - steep for 2 minutes.